3 Search Procedures PolicyAll persons must be searched thoroughly prior to transport in police vehiclesCare should be taken to protect the dignity and self-respect of the person being searchedItems seized during a search will be preserved as evidenceCare should be exercised when searching a prisoner’s private property

4 Types of SearchesGeneral Searches − reveal the contents of a person’s outer garments, general clothes, or hand luggage without touching the person or the luggage

5 Types of Searches (continued)Clothing Searches – ensure the security and the safety of persons in custodyRemove the prisoner’s hat, shoes/socks, bags, or excess clothing, and search item-by-itemEmpty all of the prisoner’s pocketsCheck all of the seams and sleeves of the prisoner’s clothes for concealed articlesCheck the inner linings of the prisoner’s clothes for evidence of damage or tamperingRemove the loose inner soles of the prisoner’s shoesBang the prisoner’s shoes together to loosen any hidden itemsTurn the prisoner’s socks inside out

6 Types of Searches (continued)Strip Searches – require the removal of some or all of the prisoner’s clothing to reveal contrabandIf a strip search is required, the search must be conducted only in a private area of the detention center of the medical facilityThe prisoner must be allowed to remain partially clothed at all timesThe search must be carried out as quickly as possibleThe search must be conducted by a staff member of the same sex as the prisoner

7 Types of Searches (continued)Personal SearchesCheck the prisoner’s hair, especially women with ponytails or weaves, to ensure nothing is hidden in their hairInspect the prisoner’s mouth and earsSearch the seams on the collar of the prisoner’s clothingApply light pressure, with the palms of your hands and pat over the prisoner’s torso paying particular attention to the recess of the spine until reaching the beltlineRun the up side of your palms (palms down/bladed hand) in between and underneath the breasts of female prisoners

8 Types of Searches (continued)Personal Searches (continued)Sweep the fingers around the prisoner’s waistline and underneath the prisoner’s beltEnsure that the prisoner’s pockets are patted thoroughlyWith straight fingers, run your hand into the crotch area of male offenders, being careful not to grope the prisoner’s genitalsEnsure that the prisoner’s pant cuffs are unrolled and patted

9 Transport of Prisoners: Vehicle ChecklistEvery patrol vehicle shall be searched by the assigned officer at the beginning of that officer’s shiftSearch the vehicle before and after transporting a prisonerSearch the rear seat area prior to placing a prisoner in the vehicleCheck the passenger compartment after transport for any contraband dropped by the prisoner during transportTreat the items left in the vehicle as evidence until determined otherwise

10 Transport of Prisoners: Transport GuidelinesA maximum of two prisoners may be transported in a patrol carJuveniles can only be transported in patrol carsNo adult may be transported with a juvenile except a parent or other adult arrested in connection with same offenseFemale prisoners may be transported with male prisoners only when they are arrested during the same incident

11 Transport of Prisoners: Special CircumstancesA Prisoner Becomes DisorderlyContinue to the detention facility if the prisoner does not pose a threat to the safe operation of the vehiclePull over to side of road and notify dispatch if safe operation of the vehicle is at risk. Exit the vehicle and wait for help to arrive. Do not open the doorsPrisoner CommunicationThe prisoner shall not communicate with anyone during transport, other than transporting officer

12 Transport of Prisoners: Special Circumstances (continued)Visual ObservationThe transporting officer should be able to visually observe the prisoner at all timesExtreme care should be taken on extended trips when stopping for fuel, meals, or personal reliefAn officer of the same sex should be used if transport is lengthy

13 Transport of Prisoners: Special Circumstances (continued)Transport to a hospital or medical facilityIsolate the prisoner from other patientsNever leave the prisoner unattendedNotify hospital securityRemove restraints only if necessary for medical carePrisoners who are sick or injured shall be examined by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) prior to transport

14 Transport of Prisoners: Special Circumstances (continued)Transport to a hospital or medical facility (continued)If necessary, EMS may call an ambulance for the transport of the prisoner to a medical facility. The officer will follow the ambulance, unless he or she is requested to ride with the prisoner by ambulance personnelWhile being transported, a sick or injured prisoner shall be handcuffedAn unconscious prisoner shall be transported by ambulance to a hospital or medical facility

15 Transport of Prisoners: Special Circumstances (continued)Physically and mentally handicapped prisonersPrisoners requiring wheelchairs, crutches, or prosthetic appliances should be given special consideration when transportedThe seriousness of the handicap, the mobility of the prisoner, and the circumstances of the arrest will determine the degree of physical restraint usedMentally disturbed prisoners are to be restrained securely without causing injury. If the prisoner is violent, two or more officers will be used to transport the prisonerIf a mentally ill prisoner exhibits violent or bizarre behavior that may cause harm to himself or herself, or others, the prisoner may be transported on a stretcher in an ambulance

16 Transport of Prisoners: RestraintsAll prisoners must be handcuffed, and handcuffs must be double lockedWhen necessary, a prisoner may be restrained with a waist belt of leg shacklesNo person shall be handcuffed to a stationary object or to any part of the transporting vehicle, or be left unattended

17 Transport of Prisoners: Restraints (continued)Officers will check the tightness of handcuffs after they are appliedOfficers should be able to slip an index finger under the handcuffs on the top, bottom and sidesOfficers should investigate the prisoner’s complaints that the handcuffs are too tightLoosen the handcuffs if neededDocument the action taken in response to the prisoner’s complaint

18 Transport of Prisoners: Restraints (continued)Handcuffs will not be removed until the prisoner is inside the detention facilityOfficers will not use the “hog tie” method of maximum restraint to control an unruly prisonerAn officer will not handle another police incident while transporting a prisoner unless it is of the magnitude to place a life in jeopardy

19 Handcuffing: Safety Remember that handcuffs can be used as a weaponKeep the handcuffs closed at all timesMaintain full control of the handcuffsKeep your thumb out of the way of the arm barDouble lock the handcuffs after applying them

21 Handcuffing: PositioningHandcuffing should be initiated from the 2½ tactical positionThe officer should be behind the suspect with the gun side away from the suspectThe officer’s inside shoulder should line up with the suspect’s outside shoulderSuspectOfficerOfficerLeft-handedRight-handed

22 Handcuffing: Verbal Commands“Suspect, bend over at the waist”Make sure that the suspect is bent over at a 90-degree angle

24 Handcuffing: Verbal Commands (continued)“Suspect, place your hands behind your back, palms up”Make sure the suspect’s arms are up off of his or her back and fully extended

25 Handcuffing: Verbal Commands (continued)“Suspect, look away from the sound of my voice”Make sure that the suspect turns his or her head to the side that is opposite from where you are standing

26 Handcuffing: Grip Take hold of the handcuffs in your strong handYour hand should firmly fit between the two cuffsHave a tight grip on the chain between the cuffsBoth ratchets should face towards your knucklesHold the handcuffs as if they were a gun“Pistol Grip”

27 Handcuffing: Speed Cuffing Step OneHold the handcuffs perpendicular to the groundWith your weak hand, grab the suspect’s hand closest to you as if you were giving the suspect a handshakeMaintain control of the suspectTake your strong hand and place the bottom cuff on the suspect’s wrist using the “touch-push” method

29 Handcuffing: Speed Cuffing Step TwoMaintain control of the handcuffsDo not let go of the chain or cuffs

30 Handcuffing: Speed Cuffing Step Two (continued)Reach over to the suspect’s other hand and pull it towards the already cuffed hand

31 Handcuffing: Speed Cuffing Step Two (continued)Place the top cuff on the suspect’s other hand using the “touch-push” method

32 Handcuffing: Speed Cuffing Step ThreeCheck the handcuffs for fitMake sure no more than one fingertip can fit inside the cuffsAdjust the cuffs as needed

33 Handcuffing: Double LockInsert the pointed tip of the key into the hole on the side of the cuff until it clicksCheck the handcuffs to make sure that they are immobileThe cuffs should not clamp down on the suspect’s wrist

34 Resources Arlington Police General OrdersMedical University of South Carolina Department of Public Safety Policy and Procedure #70,Do an Internet search for a video using the following key words: Jails Examine Transport Procedure.Photos courtesy of Amy Wood